Steve Smith Names England’s Biggest Ashes Threat
With the Ashes opener just days away, tensions are rising—and so are the stakes. In a revealing press conference, stand-in Australian captain Steve Smith didn’t hold back. He explicitly named the one England player Australia fears most: “Hopefully, we can keep him quiet,” Smith said, highlighting the player’s explosive impact across all formats and warning his teammates not to provoke the aggressive all-rounder . While Smith didn’t spell the name out in so many words, the description leaves little doubt—it’s Ben Stokes.
Table of Contents
- Why Stokes Is the Ultimate Ashes Wildcard
- Steve Smith’s Strategy: Contain, Don’t Provoke
- Australia’s New Blood: Weatherald and Doggett Set for Debut
- The Mental Battle Ahead of the First Ball
Why Stokes Is the Ultimate Ashes Wildcard
Ben Stokes isn’t just a cricketer—he’s a match-winner who thrives on chaos. From his legendary 2019 Headingley miracle to his captaincy that birthed the Bazball revolution, Stokes has repeatedly turned Ashes series on their head .
His stats in Australia are equally formidable: in the 2021-22 series, he was England’s leading run-scorer despite the 4-0 whitewash. More importantly, he’s the emotional and tactical heartbeat of the current England side. When Stokes walks in, the tempo changes. Fielders tense up. Bowlers second-guess their lines. And that’s exactly what worries Steve Smith and the Australian camp .
“He’s someone who can take the game away from you very quickly,” Smith noted, emphasizing Stokes’ ability to dominate even the best bowling attacks with minimal risk—something few all-rounders in history have mastered.
Steve Smith’s Strategy: Contain, Don’t Provoke
One of the most telling parts of Smith’s comments was his warning: “We’ve got to be careful not to get into a contest with him.” This reveals a clear tactical shift in Australia’s approach. Gone are the days of aggressive sledging aimed at provoking English batters—especially Stokes.
The Australian team knows that riling Stokes up only fuels his fire. Instead, their plan is to suffocate him with disciplined lines, shorter spells from their quicks, and attacking fields designed to limit boundaries rather than go for wickets aggressively. It’s a patient, cerebral approach that reflects Smith’s evolution from a pure batter to a thinking captain.
As former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting observed, “The key to stopping Stokes isn’t pace or bounce—it’s boredom. Make him work for every run” . Australia’s pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will need to execute this plan with military precision.
Australia’s New Blood: Weatherald and Doggett Set for Debut
While Stokes dominates the narrative, Australia is also injecting fresh energy into their squad. Openers Jake Weatherald and fast bowler Brendan Doggett are expected to make their Test debuts in the Ashes opener .
Weatherald, a consistent run-machine in the Sheffield Shield, brings a solid defensive technique—crucial for weathering England’s new-ball barrage. Doggett, meanwhile, offers raw pace and a sharp bouncer, traits Australia believes will test England’s fragile middle order.
These selections signal a blend of caution and aggression: experienced leadership at the core, with fearless youth on the edges. If they perform, they could tilt the balance early in the series.
The Mental Battle Ahead of the First Ball
What makes this Ashes so compelling isn’t just the skill—it’s the psychology. On one side, you have England’s Bazball philosophy: fearless, fast, and high-risk. On the other, Australia under Steve Smith: calculating, relentless, and built on attrition.
Smith’s public acknowledgment of Stokes as the “biggest threat” is itself a strategic move. It’s not fear—it’s focus. By naming him, Smith forces the entire Australian camp to align their game plans around neutralizing one man. And by asking his players not to provoke Stokes, he’s showing maturity and tactical awareness rarely seen in Ashes history.
The opener in Perth (or Brisbane, depending on final scheduling) will be a litmus test: Can Australia’s discipline overcome England’s dynamism? Can Smith’s calm outmaneuver Stokes’ fire?
Final Thoughts
Steve Smith’s candid admission about Ben Stokes isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a masterstroke of pre-series mind games wrapped in genuine respect. As Australia prepares for one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, their success may hinge not on who scores the most runs, but on who can keep the most dangerous man in the opposition quiet. All eyes will be on that crucial battle from ball one.